Chapter 740: The Unreturnable Departure
Chapter 740: The Unreturnable Departure
"I... I lost?" Dr. Einstein stared at his own hands, examining the cards in his grasp, still seemingly in disbelief.
"The Doctor actually lost," Mitate repeated, his tone flat and unperturbed.
Well, it was no surprise, to be honest. After all, even though Dr. Einstein was a genius, he was merely a slightly talented Duel researcher, a mere human genius.
How could a human possibly defeat a dog?
However, Mitate was well aware of the new project the laboratory had recently undertaken. As one of the lab's veterans, Mitate held a significant position despite the lab's expansion and the increasing diversity of its projects.
You Xuan had taken on new projects outside the lab, and Mitate had heard about many of them, even if he wasn't directly involved.
Mitate had previously heard about the formation of a specialized team for researching the card deck of Duel King Yuugi Mutou. At the time, Mitate had also heard that this team was different from the typical Duel King deck research projects in the Duel world, but he couldn't quite pinpoint how.
Mitate's most vivid impression of the legendary Yuugi Mutou was of the Tri-Phantom Gods, the Black Magician, Slifer the Skyscraper, and Chaos Warrior—all renowned monsters known for their immense power.
But today, You Xuan's performance with Launcher Turtle and Lego Dragon seemed to be a combination of the original Duel King. Was this really how Mr. Mutou dueled?
Both Mitate and Himawari wore perplexed expressions, wanting to voice their thoughts but unsure where to begin.
However, upon further reflection, Mitate thought, it made sense. If even Blue-Eyes White Dragon, the symbol of power in the Duel world, could be played like a Netherworld monster by You Xuan, then nothing else seemed strange by comparison.
Of course, they kept their thoughts to themselves; otherwise, You Xuan would surely look down upon them.
What? You think Yuugi Mutou's dueling style is different?
How ignorant!
Just look at how the Pharaoh was sent to the Netherworld, and you still believe it was Mutou's style of play. Have some conscience!
You Xuan could pat his own pitch-black conscience and assure them that this was how Dueling was meant to be. It was this way for him, and it was the same for the previous generation of Duel Kings. Perhaps the previous Kings had retired and avoided the spotlight, and the Pharaoh had often played in their stead, which was why most people didn't have a clear concept of their style.
If you ever get the chance to see how Mr. Mutou duels nowadays, you'll understand. But he merely thought about it.
"Doctor, are you alright?" Mitate asked, approaching Dr. Einstein with concern.
He was genuinely worried about the well-being of his idol. From experience, few people came out unscathed after dueling with You Xuan.
"What? Huh?" Dr. Einstein snapped out of his daze, his vacant eyes meeting Mitate's gaze, resembling a senile old man.
"Haha, I'm fine. It's just that Launcher Turtle and Lego Dragon turned me into a sieve. What could possibly be wrong with an old man like me? I'm doing great, absolutely great!"
Mitate: "..."
This definitely didn't seem fine.
Mitate quickly added, "Doctor, please don't take it to heart. You Xuan... he's like that. You can't take his Duels seriously."
"Your Unified Duel Theory is truly fascinating, and I've been eagerly awaiting your new publication."
"Unified? Ah, yes, there is such a theory, it seems." Dr. Barinstein muttered to himself.
"Huh?"
Sato was stunned.
Wasn't this theory your life's masterpiece?
It seemed that You Xuan had completely twisted Dr. Barinstein's mind.
"Just now, I felt like I suddenly realized something," Dr. Barinstein said earnestly, "I joined the Light Society, believing I had found the right path.
The truth of the universe, the essence of Dueling, should be hidden within that path of light. But just now, it was as if my mind had been struck by a heavy blow, and I suddenly woke up.
Why must the truth be in the light and not in the darkness?"
"Huh?" Sato was becoming more confused.
"Although there is light in the universe, there is even more darkness. The scattered stars cannot illuminate the vast universe. Darkness is the main theme of this world, this universe, and it should align with the truth of Dueling."
Dr. Barinstein slapped his forehead.
"I don't know how I was blinded before, but I actually believed the nonsense of those heretics. It's strange when I think about it now."
Sato was speechless.
He didn't know what to say. He couldn't decide whether to persuade Dr. Barinstein not to overthink it or to agree with him.
Dr. Barinstein had just mentioned the Light Society. Sato knew about this society, as he was a member of the Netherworld Project and had encountered a few of its members.
So, it seemed that Dr. Barinstein might have been brainwashed by the society and sent as a new fighter by the Light Society. However, through You Xuan's duel, it seemed like the brainwashing had been forcefully undone. It was still uncertain if the brainwashing had been completely removed.
In Sato's opinion, it felt more like a new form of brainwashing had overwritten the original one. However, this overwrite seemed to have side effects, and they were more intense than those of the Light faction.
The Light Society had, at least, catered to Dr. Barinstein's theory, making him believe that the light of the universe represented by the Light Society aligned with the correct path of his Unified Duel Theory.
You Xuan, on the other hand, not only overwrote the brainwashing but also overturned Dr. Barinstein's lifelong research theories. From now on, Dr. Barinstein seemed to be leaning towards joining their Netherworld religion.
"It was a good duel, and the doctor's cards were interesting too," You Xuan said, even inviting him.
"If the doctor doesn't mind, would you like to join our laboratory?"
"Hmm?"
Dr. Barinstein was taken aback.
Join them? Upon further thought, it didn't seem like a bad idea. Especially now that he had started to doubt his own research theories, and joining them after being defeated didn't seem like a bad option.
Sato wanted to say something but stopped.
Shouldn't he be happy that his idol was joining their side?
But why did he feel so conflicted?
Himawari was also speechless.
Suddenly, she couldn't help but wonder what the Light Society members would think if they knew the outcome of sending Dr. Barinstein to duel You Xuan.
Light Society Member: I will never forget that day. The doctor said to capture the king first to capture the bandits, and we should go around and cut off the opponent's Duel King.
As a result, the doctor went around and never returned. Until next time, he has gone to the other side.
(End of Chapter)
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